MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $100,000 grant to help the city of Samson eliminate a potential environmental and health hazard.
The city will use Community Development Block Grant funds to replace one of two pumps that transport sewage to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The pump went out in May leaving the city with the single pump.
“Communities often face unforeseen circumstances and difficulties that require assistance beyond local financial resources,” Gov. Ivey said.
“Under my administration, limited funds from the federal Community Development Block program are placed in reserve to help cities and counties, when possible, address emergencies just like this one in Samson.”
City officials say reliance on a single pump to operate the system places an undue burden on that piece of machinery and that its failure could result in an overflow of sewage. The sewage system serves 711 households.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“As a former mayor I realize that no matter how well you plan and prepare, unexpected emergencies can and do occur,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is glad in this situation to have available funds to help the city of Samson overcome this ordeal.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Clay King that the grant had been approved. The city of Samson has committed $55,000 in local funds for the project.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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Contact Jim Plott or Mike Presley